Water Sports Safety
What to do out on the water
Brittany Crawford

It's summer! School is out and kids are ready to have fun. The hot summer sun draws kids-and their parents-to the water. From the ocean to rivers and lakes, there are a lot of water activities for kids and parents to enjoy. But parents need to be prepared.

Ocean Sports: Rafting, boogie boarding and surfing

The beach is a favorite vacation spot for a lot of families in the summer. Small children can jump in the waves or look for seashells, while older kids can learn to boogie board or surf. Here are some tips to make sure your kids have fun at the shore in a safe fashion.

Rafting is a great way for older kids to have fun in the ocean. Parents should make sure that rafting is permitted beforehand because some beaches don't allow it. Assuming that rafting is permitted at your beach, make sure that the children rafting know how to swim and feel comfortable in the water.

Kids who are rafting should know how to maneuver the raft in the ocean, and they should know what to do if something happens while in the water. Parents should check the raft beforehand for any holes or tears, and make sure that the raft is made for the ocean.

A parent or an adult should always supervise while children are out in the raft. Make sure the kids don't go too far out in the ocean, and that they don't drift too far with the currents. If something should happen, alert the lifeguards immediately. That is what they are there for!

Boogie boarding is a fun activity for the beach. Boogie boarding is essentially using a foam board to lie face down and ride waves. Boogie boarding is recommended for kids at least 7-8 years-old, but some parents like to let little ones ride the small waves right by the beach. If you let your little kids do this, supervise them at all times.

Your child (or you) will need a few things before you boogie board:
o   A boogie board. These can usually be rented, but they are also inexpensive to buy. If you think you or your kids will enjoy boogie boarding, it might be more cost efficient to just buy one at the store.
o   Goggles are recommended, especially for kids, to keep salt water out of their eyes. They will need to keep their eyes open to see where they are going and goggles make it easier.
o   A shirt that fits snuggly is recommended as well. This will prevent the boogie board from rubbing your child's skin raw.

If you or your child wants to boogie board, there are a few things you should know:
o   Know how to swim, feel comfortable in the water and don't be afraid of waves! If you are afraid of getting pulled under a wave, boogie boarding isn't for you!
o   Avoid riding the crest or the top of the wave; aim for the belly.
o   The bigger the wave is, the further it will take you.
o   Finding a good wave takes practice, so don't get frustrated!
o   If you see a wave getting ready to crash on you, or you do get pulled under, don't panic! Take a deep breath before you go under and stay calm. If the board is pulling you down, let it go!

Surfing is a more aggressive sport. Learning how to surf can be frustrating, but once you catch that first wave, you might become addicted!

Kids who want to surf should know how to swim, feel comfortable in the water and with the waves, and have a lot of patience. There are also a few tips to make surfing a little easier.
o   Mark the board. Once kids are out in the water, they need to learn where to lie on the surfboard in order to keep it flat and stable. "Marking the board" is the best way for kids to learn where to rest their chins. If your children's boards are nose-diving in the water, instruct them to move back a couple inches. But be careful! If kids move too far back on their boards, they will cork, and kids will never catch a wave.
o   Know how to paddle! When kids are paddling, they should alternate each arm. This will provide a constant speed and make it easier to catch waves.
o   Sitting on the board can be hard. The best advice to give your kids is to stay calm. If they move around too much, or get frustrated it will just make sitting on the board harder.
o   Standing on the board takes a lot of practice. Encourage your kids to practice standing on their surfboards on land first. The best advice that experts give is to keep the head up! If kids look at their feet, they will fall in!

River Sports: Rowing, Kayaking, and Dragon Boating

River sports are a different way for kids to get out and get active. There are many different types of sports from kayaking to dragon boating to rowing. Kids who want to actively compete in a strenuous sport should consider rowing, while kids who just want to try something a little new and different can try dragon boating.

Rowing is an exciting sport that kids, from beginners to experts, can get involved in.

Rick Brown, interim Executive Director of Three Rivers Rowing Association, encourages kids to get comfortable in the water.

"The earlier kids start out in the water, the better. The more comfortable kids are around the water, the more fun they'll have," Brown said. "This is a great way for kids to try out the sport. It builds teamwork skills, and it's a lot of fun."

Kayaking is another way kids can get involved in river sports. A kayak is a boat that has an opening for one or two people to sit in. Kayaking is when the rowers take turns dropping the paddle on each side of the boat, while rotating their hips, thus propelling the kayak forward. Kayaking is a fun sport for one to two kids to enjoy.

Dragon boating is a team activity, and it is one of the earliest forms on boat racing, having originated over 2,000 years ago in the southern provinces in China. Dragon boats hold up to 20 paddlers, seated in pairs along the length of the boat, each with their own paddle. Each paddller rows continuously on their side of the boat. There is also a steer person on the boat, who makes sure that the dragon boat moves in the right direction.

Boating: A fun family experience

Boating can be a fun activity for the whole family. There are a lot of different activities, from snorkeling to fishing, that families can do when boating. It is also a good way for kids to learn the basics of the boat.

Boating with children, though, takes preparation. Make sure there are enough lifejackets for every child. Also check to make sure that the boat is "child proof" before kids get on board. Anything that is breakable or dangerous, like ropes, windlasses, gearboxes, flare guns and emergency gear should be kept out of children's reach. Treat the boat as another home. Set rules for your kids when they are out on the boat.

A few other tips when boating with children are:
o   Check to see if your boat has a cuddy cabin. This small cabin can be found in runabouts, bow riders, and deck boats, and they provide a comfy place where kids can take a nap or get out of the sun.
o   Pack snacks and lots of water! Don't forget saltines and ginger ale in case of sea/motion sickness.
o   Bring a diaper bag. This is essential because it will hold all the little extras like sunscreen, a change of clothes, hats, etc.

Water sports are refreshing activities that the whole family can get involved in. From a day at the beach to a relaxing day on a boat, water sports provide a variety of ways to get active. Put on your sunscreen and enjoy!